Bryce Cummins Browning, 93, of Dover, died peacefully, early Sunday, March 4, 2018 at Park Village Health Care Center following a period of declining health.

Born in Zanesville, Ohio on June 19, 1924, Bryce was a son of the late Bryce Cogsill and Edith (Cummins) Browning.

Following graduation from Dover High School in 1942, Bryce was drafted into the United States Army during World War II and was assigned to work in a medical depot overseas. After his discharge, he was fortunate to study art in Mexico, England and also France, where he worked under the tutelage of famed artist Fernand Leger.

Upon returning to the United States, Bryce obtained his Master’s Degree in Fine Arts and Education at The Ohio State University, where he also met Virginia Mason. They were married on August 30, 1952 and lived in Worthington and then Kent. Bryce taught Art at East Liverpool and East Cleveland schools, the latter for eleven years.

In 1971, Bryce landed an art teaching job in Dover, where he remained until his retirement in 1986. During his tenure at Dover High School, Bryce made a great impact on many students. He knew how to nurture and encourage the talent he saw in them. Through his efforts, many of his students won awards at the Ohio Governor’s Show consistently throughout his time at DHS. In recognition of his dedication to art education, Bryce was awarded with a special commendation from the governor of Ohio.

Following his retirement, Bryce focused more on his health when confronted with heart disease. He enjoyed time outdoors, and hiked daily, no matter what the weather, and stayed on a strict diet, overcoming a total of three heart bypass surgeries. He lost interest in painting and dabbled in photography. He also had a coin laundry business for several years, sold it, and then found a new passion by making successful investments in the stock market.

Bryce will always be remembered for his wit, humor, and devotion to his family.

In addition to his wife, Bryce leaves behind his family: two daughters, Carolyn Browning of New Philadelphia and Catherine (James) Heaston of Dover; a son, Bryce M. Browning of New Philadelphia; twin granddaughters, Aimee (Breck) Buchanan and Angela Blyer all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a great-grandson, Daniel Buchanan; and a sister, Shirley Johnson of Dover.

In addition to his parents, Bryce was preceded in death by an infant sister, Winifred Browning; a sister, Charlotte Thwaite; and a brother, Richard Browning.

A memorial celebration of Bryce’s life will be led by Rev. Hombre Liggett on March 17, 2018 at 2 PM in the Geib Funeral Center in Dover where friends and family are encouraged to share stories of Bryce. The family will greet guests one hour prior to the service. A meal and fellowship will follow in the Hospitality Room of the Dover Geib Center.

Leave a Condolence

On behalf of the Geib Family and Staff, we offer our most sincere sympathy for your loss. We are honored to have been called upon to serve your family.

Denise Himes posted on 3/15/18

We are so sorry for your loss. Your father, Cathy, sounds like an amazing man, one of great character and history. Our prayers are with your entire family as you grieve and also as you rejoice in the life he lived and in the lifetime he now has in Heaven. Much love and peace to you all.
Denise & Mark Himes

Bradley Swinderman posted on 3/15/18

Bryce, what a wonderful colleague to have had the privilege to be an educator alongside. A man of total integrity, authentic always, with an amazing sense of humor as he had little time for pretentiousness or fraudulent people. His laughter, smile & contagious zeal for education & his students will always be remembered by those whose lives he touched. He opened many doors for students developing creativity & broadening their thinking forever; privileged to have been a friend as well as a teaching colleague.

Hilary Weber (formerly Molly Spies) posted on 3/9/18

Mr. Browning was very influential to me - after being his student at Dover High, I went on to study fine art as my major as an undergrad at Ohio State University (and I still use my artistic sensibilities today in my work as an executive & team coach/consultant and entrepreneur). He was funny and also very motivating as he helped us be our best - I remember going to a lot of those Governor shows and seeing all the awards our class received. And he never even talked about studying under Fernand Leger (which is huge!) - he was not focused on himself, but on us and our artistic development. He will be sorely missed by us all.

Jennifer McCreery Barrows posted on 3/9/18

My sympathies go out to Mr. Browning's family and others who knew him and those touched by his talent and teaching. I am honored to have been a student of Mr. Browning's at Dover High School from 1977-1980. I have so many fond memories of my time in the art room - which was sometimes a couple of hours a day. He supported our creativity and encouraged us to explore art in ways that fed our curiosity. I have thought of him often over the years. I was also honored to have been taught by his sister Shirley Johnson many years earlier as she was my kindergarten teacher at Park Elementary. I cherish fond memories with both.

Rev. Marla Eggerton Wagner posted on 3/9/18

I was a student of Mr. Browning in high school.many many years ago, but of all my teachers thru out the years he's no. One in my mind because he always took time to listen had great advice and was an overall great man . I'm the richer for his teachings not just the art but his wisdom for teaching us to look inside and listen to that still small voice. He will always be remembered by me. ,. Rev. Marla Wagner

Brett Archinal posted on 3/7/18

Mr. Browning was one of my favourite teachers. Always encouraging and a joy to be around. We need more people like him.

Karie Steffen posted on 3/7/18

Mr. Browning was one of my favorite teachers of all times. He encouraged my interest in Art which is something I love to this day. So sorry for your loss.

Vivian (Law) Mosley posted on 3/7/18

Mr. Browning was such an inspiration to me. I developed a love for art at Dover High when he was my teacher and I continue today as an artist. I was blessed to call him my Art Teacher!

Timeline for Bryce Browning

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your MemoryYour Name **Email Address **

Condolences for Bryce Browning

Geib Funeral Home & Crematory

On behalf of the Geib Family and Staff, we offer our most sincere sympathy for your loss. We are honored to have been called upon to serve your family.

Denise Himesposted on 3/15/18

We are so sorry for your loss. Your father, Cathy, sounds like an amazing man, one of great character and history. Our prayers are with your entire family as you grieve and also as you rejoice in the life he lived and in the lifetime he now has in Heaven. Much love and peace to you all.
Denise & Mark Himes

Bradley Swindermanposted on 3/15/18

Bryce, what a wonderful colleague to have had the privilege to be an educator alongside. A man of total integrity, authentic always, with an amazing sense of humor as he had little time for pretentiousness or fraudulent people. His laughter, smile & contagious zeal for education & his students will always be remembered by those whose lives he touched. He opened many doors for students developing creativity & broadening their thinking forever; privileged to have been a friend as well as a teaching colleague.

Hilary Weber (formerly Molly Spies)posted on 3/9/18

Mr. Browning was very influential to me - after being his student at Dover High, I went on to study fine art as my major as an undergrad at Ohio State University (and I still use my artistic sensibilities today in my work as an executive & team coach/consultant and entrepreneur). He was funny and also very motivating as he helped us be our best - I remember going to a lot of those Governor shows and seeing all the awards our class received. And he never even talked about studying under Fernand Leger (which is huge!) - he was not focused on himself, but on us and our artistic development. He will be sorely missed by us all.

Jennifer McCreery Barrowsposted on 3/9/18

My sympathies go out to Mr. Browning's family and others who knew him and those touched by his talent and teaching. I am honored to have been a student of Mr. Browning's at Dover High School from 1977-1980. I have so many fond memories of my time in the art room - which was sometimes a couple of hours a day. He supported our creativity and encouraged us to explore art in ways that fed our curiosity. I have thought of him often over the years. I was also honored to have been taught by his sister Shirley Johnson many years earlier as she was my kindergarten teacher at Park Elementary. I cherish fond memories with both.

Rev. Marla Eggerton Wagnerposted on 3/9/18

I was a student of Mr. Browning in high school.many many years ago, but of all my teachers thru out the years he's no. One in my mind because he always took time to listen had great advice and was an overall great man . I'm the richer for his teachings not just the art but his wisdom for teaching us to look inside and listen to that still small voice. He will always be remembered by me. ,. Rev. Marla Wagner

Brett Archinalposted on 3/7/18

Mr. Browning was one of my favourite teachers. Always encouraging and a joy to be around. We need more people like him.

Karie Steffenposted on 3/7/18

Mr. Browning was one of my favorite teachers of all times. He encouraged my interest in Art which is something I love to this day. So sorry for your loss.

Vivian (Law) Mosleyposted on 3/7/18

Mr. Browning was such an inspiration to me. I developed a love for art at Dover High when he was my teacher and I continue today as an artist. I was blessed to call him my Art Teacher!